Hair extension apparatus and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A hair extension apparatus includes a plurality of hair strands attached to a support structure configured for positioning on the wearer&#39;s head. The support structure can have an upper member defining an upper edge of the support structure, a lower member defining a lower edge of the support structure functionally attached at opposed ends to the upper member, a plurality of lace segments attached to the upper member and the lower member, and a plurality of wefts functionally attached to the lower member and the lace segments. The wefts can be positioned in substantially perpendicular orientation to the lace segments. The wefts and lace segments can be made of an elastic material, so that the support structure is stretchable in vertical and horizontal directions. A plurality of hair engaging members can be attached to the support structure to engage the natural hair of the wearer&#39;s head.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/023,630, filed Jan. 25, 2008. The present invention relates to an apparatus for positioning on a person's head. One particular embodiment of the invention comprises a self-applicable one-piece clip-in hair extension apparatus having a two way stretch construction. The apparatus can be positioned from temple to temple on the head of a wearer in such a manner that it supplements the natural hair of the wearer, thereby allowing for longer and thicker hair, thus increasing the volume of hair from the right temple of the wearers head and over to the left temple of the wearers head.

For various reasons, many people desire to acquire hair that is longer and thicker than that which they naturally posses. As hair grows at the rate of approximately less than one inch per month, many people find that it is exceedingly difficult to acquire a contemporary hairstyle in a reasonable time. Even when someone has hair of substantial length, the hair may lack thickness or overall volume to achieve a desirable hairstyle.

Various devices and techniques have been developed to attempt to satisfy the need and desire for longer and thicker hair. For example, wigs provide a quick and simple means to achieve longer hair, however, they do not present a fully natural appearance, a condition that leads to their recognition when they are being worn.

Recently, a variety of more natural hair enhancement techniques have gained in popularity, such as hair weaves, strand-and-strand hair extensions, hair braiding and the like, whereby natural or synthetic hair is attached to the scalp or existing hair of a wearer in order to provide the appearance of longer, thicker hair without the noticeable artifice of a wig. These techniques and systems also suffer from several drawbacks as they are relatively expensive and time consuming to acquire, and frequently discomfit the wearer during application as well as it may be difficult to maintain. Other hair additions or enhancements require the assistance of a hair stylist.

As such, it can be appreciated that there is a continuing need for a new and improved method and device for providing the appearance of longer and thicker hair in a manner that is relatively simple and inexpensive to achieve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an easy to use, comfortable to wear, self applicable two-way stretch one-piece clip-in hair extension.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self applicable one-piece clip-in hair extension, in which the wearers' natural hair may be integrated through the provided openings, therefore further securing the hair addition without the use of chemicals, glues or assistance of hair stylists.

These and other objects of the invention can be achieved in the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed below. One particular embodiment of the invention can be used to provide longer, thicker or highlighted hair for the wearer. Specifically, this embodiment of the invention comprises a hair attachment comprised of natural or synthetic hair that is releasably attached directly to the hair of a wearer to provide the wearer with the appearance of longer, thicker or highlighted hair.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a hair attachment device or hair addition that is releasably attached to the hair of a wearer in order to provide the appearance of longer, thicker fuller and or highlighted hair without the use of chemicals that can damage the wearers hair and/or scalp. The one-piece clip-in hair extension allows the wearer to change the appearance of their hair without chemical damage in order to achieve fashion styles that use longer hair, or simply to enhance their appearance by achieving particular hair designs heretofore impossible without the aid of a wig and or damaging chemicals.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a quantity of natural or synthetic hair wefts that are attached or secured at one end by a stretch weft construction, and attached to a foundation constructed of breathable two-way stretch elastic lace, and a relatively dense lace fabric material. As such, the apparatus is highly stretchable and can be stretched both vertically and horizontally to provide a comfortable fit for the wearer. The apparatus can be shaped so as to engage the frontal left temple, the rear of the wearers head and the frontal right temple portion of the persons head with the sides extending downwardly and rearwardly adjacent the ears of the human head in a path which generally follows that of the hair line. When the self applicable two-way stretch one-piece clip-in hair extension apparatus is properly applied the wearer is able to comb or brush a portion of their natural hair onto the hair extension. This method produces a completely natural and inconspicuous appearance to the on-looker while promoting free flowing longer and thicker hair.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a hair extension apparatus comprises a plurality of hair strands, and a support structure configured for positioning on a wearer's head. The support structure includes a plurality of elastic wefts attached to the plurality of hair strands.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a support structure for use in the hair extension apparatus comprises an upper member defining an upper edge of the support structure, a lower member defining a lower edge of the support structure functionally attached at opposed ends to the upper member, a plurality of substantially vertical members functionally attached to the upper member and the lower member, and a plurality of substantially horizontal members functionally attached to the lower member. The substantially vertical members and the substantially horizontal members are comprised of an elastic material, so that the support structure is stretchable in vertical and horizontal directions.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the upper member and the lower member are comprised of an elastic material.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the support structure is configured for positioning on a head of a person, and the support structure conforms to the person's head.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the elastic material comprises an elastomeric fiber.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric fiber comprises spandex.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the vertical members comprise lace segments.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the lace segments are comprised of an elastic material that is stretchable along a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the lace segments.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the horizontal members comprise wefts for attaching hair strands.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the upper member is substantially convex.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the lower member is substantially concave.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the support structure includes a plurality of hair engaging members attached to the upper member and the lower member for engaging the natural hair of the person wearing the support structure.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the hair engaging members are snap lock clips.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the support structure includes first and second temporal sections functionally attached at opposed ends of the upper member and the lower member. Each temporal section has at least one hair engaging member attached thereon for engaging a section of hair proximate a temple of the person wearing the support structure.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the support structure is configured to extend below the crown of the wearer's head from one temple to the other temple.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the lower member includes a nape support segment configured to be positioned over the nape of the wearer's head. At least one hair engaging member is attached to the nape support segment.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a hair extension apparatus comprises a plurality of hair strands attached to a support structure configured for positioning on the wearer's head. The support structure includes an upper member defining an upper edge of the support structure, a lower member defining a lower edge of the support structure functionally attached at opposed ends to the upper member, a plurality of lace segments attached to the upper member and the lower member, and a plurality of wefts functionally attached to the lower member and the lace segments. The wefts and lace segments are substantially perpendicular to each other and are comprised of an elastic material, so that the support structure is stretchable in vertical and horizontal directions. A plurality of hair engaging members are attached to the support structure for engaging the natural hair of the wearer's head, so that the hair extension apparatus is maintained on the wearer's head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a hair extension apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the support structure of the hair extension apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an environmental side view of the support structure of the hair extension apparatus of FIG. 1, shown being worn on a person's head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

A hair extension apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, and shown generally at reference numeral 10. The hair extension apparatus 10 comprises a two-way stretchable support structure 11 for positioning on the head of the wearer, and a plurality of hair 24 attached to the support structure 11. The support structure 11 can stretch both vertically and horizontally. As such, the hair extension apparatus 10 can conform to the shape and contours of the wearer's head.

The two way stretch support structure 10 is comprised of a substantially convex upper member 14 attached to a substantially concave lower segment 20. Disposed within the interior of the upper segment 14 and the lower member 20 is a plurality of substantially vertical support segments 21 attached to a plurality of substantially horizontal weft segments 22. The upper member 14, the lower member 20, the vertical segments 21 and the horizontal wefts 22 are comprised of an stretchable elastic material, such as the long chain elastomeric fiber spandex (also sold under the name LYCRA). As such, the support structure 11 can be stretched both vertically and horizontally. The vertical segments 21 can be fabricated from a lace having a dual or two way stretch elastic construction.

The hair 24 of the apparatus 10 can be natural or synthetic, and is attached to the wefts 22. Attached to the two way stretch support structure 11 are a plurality of hair engaging members for engaging the natural hair of the wearer, such as snap lock clips 12. Each clip 12 can include a plurality of clipping members that extend from a first side of curved rectangular shape. The clips 12 can be metallic and configured in a curved shape such that the clips can 12 can be snapped from an open configuration for receiving the wearer's hair to a closed configuration, in which the wearer's hair is held tightly within the clip 12.

Attached to one side of the lower member 20 is a left temporal section 16, and attached to the other side of the lower member 20 is a right temporal section. Both temporal sections 16, 18 have clips attached thereon. As illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, the clips 12 on the left temporal section 16 engages the wearer's natural hair proximate the left temple of the wearer's head “H”, and the clips 12 of the right temporal section 18 engages the hair proximate right temple of the wearers head “H”. As such, support structure 11 is configured to extend from proximate the left temple of the wearer's head “H” to the base or nape of the wearer's skull, and over to the right temple of the users

The unique two way stretch support structure 11 can be placed on a wearer's head “H” to provide the appearance of longer and thicker hair, or to provide a substantial amount of supplemental hair. The lower member 20 of the support structure 11 includes a nape support segment 26. The support structure 11 is configured to extend across the back of the head “H” of the wearer below the crown from temple to temple, and form an outline that approximates a hair growth pattern typically found on the nape or back of the wearer's head “H”. The hair extension apparatus 10 provides approximately one-half wig coverage, however, its coverage is not limited to only the rear portion of the wearer's head “H”, but includes forward portions of the wearer's head “H” proximate the temples. The left and right temporal support segments 16, 18 and the nape support segment 26 are preferably fabricated of a two way stretch elastic lace, providing a contour fit regardless of the shape and/or size of the wearer's head.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vertical lace segments 21 include five center segments 21 a-e that are attached at the top end to the upper member 14 and extend substantially perpendicularly downward to be attached at the bottom end to nape segment 26. The vertical lace segments 21 also include two outer segments 21 f, 21 g attached to the upper member 14 and to center segments 21 a, 21 e, respectively. It should be noted that the number of lace segments 21 and wefts 22 shown in the drawings is for illustrative purposes only, and more or fewer lace segments 21 and wefts 22 can be utilized.

The hair strands 24 of the apparatus 10 may be of any configuration depending on the hair style desired. As a result, the wearer may use the addition of the supplemental hair strands 24 to the wearer's natural hair to provide many styles, some of which cannot be achieved without the hair extension 10. The hair strands 24 may be curled or straight and of varying lengths. Also, the hair strands 24 may be one or more of synthetic hair strands or natural hair strands. In the case of synthetic, the hair strands 24 may be constructed from many fibers such as acrylic or other common fibers.

Preferably the upper member 14 and temporal sections 16, 18 combine for a total length of thirteen inches from temple to temple. The vertical length of the hair extension 10 running along its center lace segment 21 c is about five inches. The length of the nape segment 26 is preferably about five inches, and the vertical length of each temporal section 16, 18 is preferably about two inches.

A hair extension apparatus and method of using same is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the following claims. 

1. A support structure for use in a hair extension apparatus comprising: (a) an upper member defining an upper edge of the support structure; (b) a lower member defining a lower edge of the support structure functionally attached at opposed ends to the upper member; (c) a plurality of substantially vertical members functionally attached to the upper member and the lower member; (d) a plurality of substantially horizontal members functionally attached to the lower member; and (e) wherein the substantially vertical members and the substantially horizontal members are comprised of an elastic material, whereby the support structure is stretchable in vertical and horizontal directions.
 2. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper member and the lower member are comprised of an elastic material.
 3. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is configured for positioning on a head of a person, and the support structure conforms to the person's head.
 4. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material comprises an elastomeric fiber.
 5. A support structure according to claim 4, wherein the elastomeric fiber comprises spandex.
 6. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the vertical members comprise lace segments.
 7. A support structure according to claim 6, wherein the lace segments are comprised of an elastic material that is stretchable along a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the lace segments.
 8. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal members comprise wefts for attaching hair strands.
 9. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper member is substantially convex.
 10. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the lower member is substantially concave.
 11. A support structure according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hair engaging members attached to the upper member and the lower member for engaging natural hair of a person wearing the support structure.
 12. A support structure according to claim 11, wherein the hair engaging members comprise snap lock clips.
 13. A support structure according to claim 1, further comprising first and second temporal sections functionally attached at opposed ends of the upper member and the lower member, each temporal section having at least one hair engaging member attached thereon for engaging a section of hair proximate a temple of a person wearing the support structure.
 14. A support structure according to claim 13, wherein the support structure is configured to extend below a crown of a wearer's head from a first temple to a second temple.
 15. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the lower member includes a nape support segment configured to be positioned over the nape of a wearer's head, and further wherein at least one hair engaging member is attached to the nape support segment.
 16. A hair extension apparatus comprising a plurality of hair strands attached to a support structure configured for positioning on a wearer's head, the support structure comprising: (a) an upper member defining an upper edge of the support structure; (b) a lower member defining a lower edge of the support structure functionally attached at opposed ends to the upper member; (c) at least one substantially vertical member functionally attached to the upper member and the lower member; (d) at least one substantially horizontal member functionally attached to the at least one vertical member and the lower member; and (e) wherein the substantially vertical members and the substantially horizontal members are comprised of an elastic material, whereby the support structure is stretchable in vertical and horizontal directions.
 17. A hair extension apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the at least one vertical member comprises a plurality of lace segments, and the at least one horizontal member comprises a plurality of wefts, and the hair strands are attached to the wefts.
 18. A hair extension apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising at least one hair engaging member attached to the support structure for engaging natural hair of the wearer's head, whereby the hair extension apparatus is maintained on the wearer's head.
 19. A hair extension apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of hair strands; (b) a support structure configured for positioning on a wearer's head and including a plurality of wefts attached to the plurality of hair strands; and (c) wherein the wefts are comprised of an elastic material.
 20. A hair extension apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the support structure further comprises: (a) a substantially convex elastic upper member having first and second ends; (b) a substantially concave elastic lower member having first and second ends, the first end of the lower member attached to the first end of the upper member, and the second end of the lower member attached to the second end of the upper member; (c) a plurality of elastic lace segments attached to the upper member and the lower member, and attached to the wefts in substantially perpendicular orientation; and (d) at least one hair engaging member for engaging natural hair of the wearer functionally attached to the upper member, whereby the support structure is maintained on the wearer's head. 